No. H038/06
For release May 25, 2006
THE PAS, Manitoba — The community of Pukatawagan and
surrounding areas today celebrated the transfer of a railway line in northern
Manitoba to Keewatin Railway Company. This First Nations-owned railway company
received $4.9 million from the Government of Canada, $1.25 million from the
Province of Manitoba and $500,000 from three First Nations communities for the
railway line purchase.
Brian Jean, Parliamentary Secretary to Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport,
Infrastructure and Communities, together with Ron Lemieux, Minister of
Transportation and Government Services Manitoba; Chief Pascall Bighetty,
President of Keewatin Railway Company; Lore Mirwaldt, member of the board of
directors of VIA Rail Canada; and Tony Fortino, General Manager of Hudson Bay
Railway Company, were on hand to mark the transfer of the 185-mile Sherridon
subdivision, which runs between Sherritt Junction and Lynn Lake in Manitoba.
Keewatin Railway Company — owned jointly by the Mathias Colomb Indian Band, the
Tataskweyak Cree Nation and the War Lake First Nation — acquired the subdivision
on April 1, 2006, through an asset purchase agreement with the Hudson Bay
Railway Company.
"The Government of Canada is committed to working with First Nations to make
sure our investments achieve the best possible results," said Mr. Jean. "The
initiative shown by Keewatin Railway Company will help build a strong local
economy and will create opportunities that benefit the region."
In addition to the $4.9 million for the railway line purchase, the Government of
Canada is providing up to $3.2 million to Keewatin Railway Company for start-up
costs and capital investments, including the acquisition of locomotives, railway
equipment, transitional services, office equipment, and planned infrastructure
work on the rail line. Federal funding comes from the Regional and Remote
Passenger Rail Services Contribution Program administered by Transport Canada.
The program ensures that safe, reliable and sustainable passenger rail services
are provided to regional and remote areas of the country.
"It is important to the Government of Canada that the people of Pukatawagan and
surrounding areas have reliable freight and passenger rail service," said
Minister Cannon. "It is through such rail services that people in remote
communities can get the things they need every day, as well as travel through
the region or to the rest of the country."
"Manitoba has made significant investments in northern transportation in recent
years to promote economic growth and opportunity," said Minister Lemieux. "We
are pleased to be working with our federal colleagues, VIA Rail Canada and
Keewatin Railway Company to maintain this important link for the community of
Pukatawagan."
"Our elders recall the arrival of the first train to Pukatawagan in the summer
of 1952, when they were called to see the "Fire Horse", said Chief Pascall
Bighetty. "Little did we know that, over 50 years later, we would be the owners
of the railway. This initiative was successful because the three First Nation
communities worked together on a common objective, one that we hope will
generate even more opportunities to participate in the economy of Northern
Manitoba."
"We are pleased to have the opportunity to work with the First Nations, the
federal government and Manitoba on this project. We feel this is a perfect
example of a successful public/private partnership," said Mr. Fortino. "Hudson
Bay Railway Company looks forward to a long and fruitful relationship with
Keewatin Railway Company."
VIA Rail Canada previously operated a twice-weekly passenger rail service
between The Pas and Pukatawagan through an operating agreement with Hudson Bay
Railway Company. This passenger service continues under a new operating
agreement between Keewatin Railway Company and VIA Rail Canada.
"We look forward to working with Keewatin Railway Company; we have committed to
offering both expertise and assistance to help ensure this community-based
venture and operating partnership enjoy every success possible," said Ms.
Mirwaldt.
Under this agreement, VIA Rail Canada will lease four rail cars to Keewatin
Railway Company for a one-year period and will continue to service the train in
The Pas. VIA Rail Canada will also work with Keewatin Railway Company to ensure
passenger safety and comfort are maintained. Additionally, Keewatin Railway
Company will consult with VIA Rail Canada in matters relating to the schedule of
the train to ensure travellers wishing to connect with VIA Rail Canada services
will be able to do so in a timely and efficient manner.
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Contacts:
Cathy Cossaboom
Communications
Transport Canada, Ottawa
(613) 993-0055
Paul Power
Keewatin Railway Company
(204) 223-3940
Harlan M. Mushumanski
Communications Coordinator
Public Affairs Branch
Communications Services Manitoba
(204) 945-0787
Mike Ogborn
Vice-President
Hudson Bay Railway Company
(303) 398-4506
Malcolm Andrews
Senior Manager, Corporate Communications
VIA Rail Canada
(514) 871-6604
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